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Computer Org
Skeptic Friend
392 Posts |
 Posted - 07/24/2003 : 13:38:18
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In the early 1930's there was an extraordinary horse, born in New Zealand and raced in Australia, by the name Phar Lap. He came to America and, it seems pretty unambigous, was killed in 1932 by the organized criminals who controlled the betting on horse-races.
(It seems that the 'historical revisionists', in the spirit of AmerAustralian partnership, have decided that American gangsters really didn't do the vile deed; that it was probably mere incompetence on the part of his Australian trainer.)
An extremely moving film, named (Aha!) Phar Lap, was made about the life of this wonderous horse----I've seen it several times and it has never failed to bring tears to my olde soldier's eyes.
In 1934, merely two years after Phar Lap's (alleged) murder, a horse named Seabiscuit was born. (The movie doesn't open until tomorrow (the 25th de Julio) and so one can't be sure but since he was a longshot, Seabiscuit probably cost the horse-betters a bundle!)
Could this be a case of True Justice? Will the Hollywood thugs even mention Phar Lap in their movie? And why would Hollywood even make such a film when there already is one----albeit, an Australian movie----other than a simple case of anti-Australian bigottry, perhaps for supporting the odious War with Iraq?
(Who needs a forum on Conspiracies when you have one on the Media?)
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Do thou amend thy face, and I'll amend my life. --Falstaff |
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Darwin Storm
Skeptic Friend
87 Posts |
 Posted - 07/24/2003 : 14:35:38 [Permalink]
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You are either
1.) pulling people's chains for amusement.
or
2.) Smoking some strong crack.
What does Phar Lap have to do with a movie about another horse and its rider? What is this conspiracy crap? AS you said, there is already a movie about Phar Lap, so why redo it (though remakes are not unheard of) when there are other stories to tell. Also, why should they mention phar lap. As you said, Seabiscut was born two years after phar lap dies, so its not like they are closely connected. Obviously, your have a tendancy to see the world through the lens of conspiracy, or your just bored and trolling for a response. For your sake, I'll assume the later. |
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Computer Org
Skeptic Friend
392 Posts |
Posted - 07/25/2003 : 08:59:44 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by Darwin Storm
You are either
1.) pulling people's chains for amusement.
or
2.) Smoking some strong crack.
Neither of the above.
Maybe this should have been posted elsewhere. Conspiracies? Religion? PsuedoScience?
Don't you see the all-too-obvious connection? |
Do thou amend thy face, and I'll amend my life. --Falstaff |
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Darwin Storm
Skeptic Friend
87 Posts |
Posted - 07/25/2003 : 10:35:24 [Permalink]
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| I must say conspiracy theories are always entertaining. They reaffirm the creativity of human kind. They are usually good for a laugh as well. |
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Computer Org
Skeptic Friend
392 Posts |
Posted - 07/25/2003 : 12:19:35 [Permalink]
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This is a very complicated issue. But first I have to mention that I've been a trained skeptic since I was a baby during WorldWar II, raised with two teen-aged and one pre-teen siblings. You probably can't imagine the dripping, drooling, oozing skepticism that pervaded the entire country in the late '30s and early '40s.
Now: I suggested the Religion forum might have been a better place to post this since much of the world believes in repetitive lifetimes: Born, die, born again, die again, etc., etc. Even we here, in the U.S., have had a great interest (and belief) in this process since Henry David Th. wrote about the transmigation of souls prior to the 1860-65 War.
What might this have to do with anything? There was Phar Lap, presumably killed (by the gambling interests) since he was an "unbeatable" horse and, thus, no one would bet against him: No bets; no profits. It's said that you can't reach from beyond the grave----but then there was Seabiscuit--a horse who couldn't possibly win, but did----again and again. The same gambling interests who (allegedly) murdered Phar Lap to get their profit machinery moving again were undoubtedly mauled at the betting windows by Seabiscuit. No reach from the grave for Phar Lap? Many religions (and non-religious philosophies) might hold that Seabiscuit was just Phar Lap reborn----with a purpose of 'True Justice' against the very interests which ordered him killed.
The Conspiracy forum? The Aussies made (IMO) a really great movie in Phar Lap. Then the Howard government got Australia to side with our government in the odious, despicable war with Iraq. Hollywooders are notoriously 'liberal' and so, perhaps, they picked Seabiscuit to undermine the earlier movie Phar Lap. (This is reaching, I admit.)
As to the PsuedoScience forum: It's REALLY hard to imagine any other scenario than the gambling interests ridding themselves of Phar Lap to bring the gamblers back to the track. All the other scenarios being floated to replace the horse-killing one qualify for, at best, the "PsuedoScience" label and, at worst, as simple(-minded) 'political-correctness'. (Link to Historical Revisionists  )
I could (probably) go on for more but----surely this topic is pretty well exhausted.   
(Edited to correct a typo and add a link.)
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Do thou amend thy face, and I'll amend my life. --Falstaff |
| Edited by - Computer Org on 07/25/2003 12:29:37 |
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gezzam
SFN Regular
Australia
751 Posts |
Posted - 07/25/2003 : 17:46:29 [Permalink]
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Phar Lap is in the Victorian Museum, he gets quite a few visitors every year.
If anyome is interested http://www.museum.vic.gov.au/pharlap/index.htm |
Mistakes are a part of being human. Appreciate your mistakes for what they are: precious life lessons that can only be learned the hard way. Unless it's a fatal mistake, which, at least, others can learn from.
Al Franken |
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Darwin Storm
Skeptic Friend
87 Posts |
Posted - 07/26/2003 : 18:45:11 [Permalink]
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| Computer Org, I am not saying that the Phar lap story isn't true, or that the movie wasn't good. ( I haven't seen it, but I am willing to take your recommendation on it.). However, the idea of Seabiscuit being the reincarnation of Phar Lap acting out to revenge its former life agaist the gambling establishment is a bit phar fetched. : ) Might make a good episode on one of those horrible Sci-Fi channel conspiracy shows. |
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Snake
SFN Addict
USA
2511 Posts |
Posted - 07/26/2003 : 22:41:05 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by Darwin Storm
Computer Org, I am not saying that the Phar lap story isn't true, or that the movie wasn't good. ( I haven't seen it, but I am willing to take your recommendation on it.). However, the idea of Seabiscuit being the reincarnation of Phar Lap acting out to revenge its former life agaist the gambling establishment is a bit phar fetched. : ) Might make a good episode on one of those horrible Sci-Fi channel conspiracy shows.
While Darwin might be a little too serious about these posts, from the tone of the replies, I would like to say there might be some truth to the thought that Mafia types could have 'done in' that horse.
I do know the name of Phar Lap but never saw that movie and don't remember much history about him however, racing was very corrupt for a long time, some say it still is, even at the bigger tracts, as much as they've enacted laws and rules over the years to control it.
Not that this means anything but I grew up going to the races with my father. Later on used to own stock in Hollywood Park and Santa Anita race tracks. Haven't bet the ponies for years but I can say it's a world onto itself as with many fringes of society.
As for the sprit of a horse living on, that's a romantic notion that each individual can to decide for himself. |
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Computer Org
Skeptic Friend
392 Posts |
Posted - 09/12/2003 : 06:47:45 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by Snake
<snip>
As for the sprit of a horse living on, that's a romantic notion that each individual can to decide for himself.
The real, deeper reason for my beliefs about Phar Lap is that I believe that I was once the 'owner' of one of Phar Lap's "reincarnations", beginning on Labor Day, 1980-----in the guise of a dog, however, rather than the expected horse.
The movie was the trigger of my belief-----although trying to interpret precisely what a dog is trying to communicate is always iffy. |
Do thou amend thy face, and I'll amend my life. --Falstaff |
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furshur
SFN Regular
USA
1536 Posts |
Posted - 09/12/2003 : 09:23:09 [Permalink]
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quote:
The real, deeper reason for my beliefs about Phar Lap is that I believe that I was once the 'owner' of one of Phar Lap's "reincarnations", beginning on Labor Day, 1980-----in the guise of a dog, however, rather than the expected horse.
Your dog was a reincarnation of a famous horse....? Wasn't that the basis of a South Park or a Simpsons cartoon?
My Swordfish is a reincarnation of Jimmy Hoffa - He kept trying to organize the Neon Tetras, but he disappeared. I think the Catfish stuffed him under the bubbling treasure chest. |
If I knew then what I know now then I would know more now than I know. |
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Mahaad_Mana
New Member
29 Posts |
Posted - 09/20/2003 : 22:50:49 [Permalink]
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| Yay! Go Phar Lap! I'm from Nz too! |
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Computer Org
Skeptic Friend
392 Posts |
Posted - 09/22/2003 : 07:58:54 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by furshur
quote:
Originally posted by Computer Org:
The real, deeper reason for my beliefs about Phar Lap is that I believe that I was once the 'owner' of one of Phar Lap's "reincarnations", beginning on Labor Day, 1980-----in the guise of a dog, however, rather than the expected horse.
Your dog was a reincarnation of a famous horse....? Wasn't that the basis of a South Park or a Simpsons cartoon?
Dunno. I seldom watch Simpsons and don't know what South Parkis---not even if it's a paper-cartoon or a TV show. quote:
More originally posted by furshur
My Swordfish is a reincarnation of Jimmy Hoffa - He kept trying to organize the Neon Tetras, but he disappeared. I think the Catfish stuffed him under the bubbling treasure chest.
Aha! Many years ago I had a Plecostomus that I came to believe was a 'reincarnation' of an author who wrote a sharp-witted novel about French politics.
Discussion about 'reincarnation' is always tricky since, IMO, the rules of the process are nearly totally unknown to modern science.  |
Do thou amend thy face, and I'll amend my life. --Falstaff |
| Edited by - Computer Org on 09/22/2003 08:05:34 |
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